Chenraya Perumal Temple, Dharmapuri
Chenraya Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Adhiyamankottam, 7 km from Dharmapuri on the Salem road.
The Chenraya Perumal Temple is located in the ancient capital of Adhiyaman’s,
ancient rulers of Tagadur.
Located on the Salem-Dharmapuri road,
the site resembling an oval shaped fort presently stands in ruins. The temple
is believed to be constructed by the Krishna Deva Raya and the Hoysala kings,
who ruled the region during the medieval period.
Standing on a flat platform, the temple
has a huge mandapam that leads to the inner sanctum of the temple. The
interiors of the temple are adorned with the 13th century paintings that depict
episodes from the Mahabharata, Viswaroopa Darshan of Lord Krishna and Ramayana.
General Information
This is a hill temple with 500 steps
and 48 pillars indicating Mandala duration. Mandalam means 48
days. The flag post (Kodimaram) of the temple has sculptures
describing the history of the temple. There is a platform in the
Mandap on the right of the sanctum sanctorum called Chitra Rath Mandap where
the Lord drank milk. Devotees place their hands on the two corners of the
platform during worship. The hands come automatically closer to each
other which the devotees consider an acknowledgment of their prayers.
Greatness of Temple
Perumal here is quite different from
other Vishnu temples. He is being worshipped as a child, because, He
came here as a child. Hence, there are no consorts with
Him. Yet he appears with a twisted moustache and
beard. He does not hold his discus and conch. The
procession deity graces with Mothers Rukmini and Satyabama.
People sing bajans – Krishna Leela and
Ramavatara glory on Saturdays. During Onam, a three day special Yagasala pujas
are performed. The garland worn by Sri Andal in Srivilliputhur
temple is brought to this temple to be offered to the Lord.
A three day festival is celebrated in
the temple every alternate year in Panguni month (March-April). Lord
Chendraya leaves the hill for the plains on the night of the fourth Friday
where special pujas and celebrations take place. A special folklore
called Thevarattam occupies the celebrations. It is woven on a
story.
When Lord Shiva picked off one of the
five heads of Lord Brahmma, it stuck into His hands. To release it,
Lord Shiva went to Indraloka, where Lord Vishnu entered the Indra court as
clown wearing a girl’s skirt and blouse, with beard and moustache, wearing
pearls and a drum in His hands. Everyone in the court burst into a
boisterous laughter. The head of Brahmma also laughed and fell
down. This dance is called Thevarattam. During this
programme, it is said that the idols also dances.
On Saturday, next day, Lord’s wedding
festival with Rukmini and Satyabama is celebrated when women sing the Nalungu
songs wearing only saris. They spill turmeric water on the Lord as
the Gopikas did in Gokhulam.
The last day-third day festival is
observed on the philosophy and nothing could be taken by a person when he/she
expires however prosperous and happy their life was during their earthly life
time. To emphasize this philosophy, Lord is placed in a hut,
replacing all his gorgeous dresses with saffron clothes. He returns
back to His hill temple then in the same dress.
Sri Krishna Jayanthi: Special pujas are performed in the temple on Sri
Krishna Jayanthi – Lord Krishna’s birth day. Lord is placed in a
cradle and honey is fed in his tongue. Also they place in the shrine
of the Lord a medicine made of palm sugar, garlic, asafoetida etc., as given to
women after delivering the child. Devotees also offer such popular
preparations of Tamilnadu as Murukku, Cheedai, Adhirasam and sweets so dear to
Lord Krishna. Women also celebrate the birth of the Lord with a
dance called kittipandhu.
History
Chenraya Temple is located in the town
of Adhiyamankottam in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is on the
oval-shaped fort. The temple is constructed by Hoysala and Vijayanagar kings,
the most prominent being Krishna Deva Raya. There are 13th century paintings
drawn on the ceiling depicting scenes from the Mahabaratham, Viswaroopa
Dharshan of Lord Krishna; and some scenes from Ramayana are just marvelous.
This fort, on which the temple exists, was said to have been built by King
Adhiyaman. The fort actually appears like a circular mud wall. The place is one
of the greatest tourist attractions in the entire state of Tamil Nadu. The fort
passes through a lake and this lake is considered to be very auspicious by the
locals.
Legends
Chennama Naicker,
a Krishna devotee belonging to Krishnadevaraya dynasty was living
here grazing the cow herds. While returning home on a day, he found
one cow missing. He found the cow near the hill with a boy drinking
its milk. He was stunned to see a cow that had not delivered a calf
was feeding a boy and concluded that it should be an act of God and hid himself
to see what would happen further. The boy called Naicker and granted
his darshan. He told Naicker that he wished to stay in the hill and
asked him to build a temple for him. As Lord Vishnu goes to the
devotee (Chendru) directly Himself, he was named Chendru Aaya (gracing)
Perumal.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to
7.00 p.m. continuously and from 5.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Festival
Special pujas are performed on Vaigunda
Ekadasi day in December-January. Onam and Puratasi Saturdays in
September-October are observed as festival days in the temple.
Temple’s Address
Chenraya Perumal Temple,
Adhiyamankottai, Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu
Location: 7 km from Dharmapuri on Salem road
Phone: +91 98658 26387
Facts
Temple Name: Chenraya Perumal Temple
Year: 13th Century
Notable works: Fresco Painting (Ceiling) depicting the
various scenes from the life of Lord Rama, various episodes from the Mahabharata
and Vedas.
Restrictions: Smoking, Photographing interiors.
Location: South India> Tamilnadu>
Dharmapuri Dist> Adhiyaman Kottai
Nearest Airport: Bangalore, Trichy
& Chennai
Connectivity
By Bus:
Number of buses and local taxis are
available to reach this Chenraya Perumal Temple in Adhiyamankottai, Dharmapuri.
By Railways:
There is a railway station in
Adhiyamankottai. Buses and private taxis are available to reach Chenraya
Perumal Temple located in Adhiyamankottai in Dharmapuri.
By Flight:
Nearest Airport is nearest airport is
Salem Airport situated at 33.2 km. Buses and private taxis are available to
reach Chenraya Perumal Temple located in Adhiyamankottai in Dharmapuri.